Online Learning

Best Practices for Celebrating GradsApril 4, 2 p.m. Eastern

Campuses of different sizes and ages have various traditions to which
students look forward. At the University of Pennsylvania, a partnership
between the Office of Student Affairs and Development & Alumni
Relations has proven to be transformative for the senior experience (and
beyond). This program will highlight hallmark events of the senior
class program and identify ways in which any campus could embrace
elements of these events within their own community.

About the Presenters

Katie Bonner currently serves as executive director of student affairs at the University of Pennsylvania. Her office supports student organizations, campus traditions, leadership training, and is the home to student government. Prior to her current role, she was associate director for programs in the same office, directly advising the campus programming board.

Rodney Robinson began his professional career as a staff member in the Department of Residential Living. Holding several positions during his tenure, he eventually landed the associate director in the Office of Student Affairs. His primary responsibilities include advising the executive boards for the Student Activities Council and the class boards.

Nicole Svonavec is the director of student and young alumni programs for Penn Alumni Relations. Previously, she worked in student life at Penn’s business school and in residence life at Coastal Carolina University. Her current responsibilities include advising three student organizations, transitioning students to life as alumni, planning reunions, and hosting events of young alumni.

Through strengths-based programming, students have the opportunity to increase self-awareness; however, critical conversations surrounding social identity, power, privilege, and the oppression of our marginalized students and colleagues are often left out or disregarded. This presentation seeks to complicate the conversation around strengths-based programming in leadership development in both formal and informal settings.

About the Presenter

Nicholas Tapia-Fuselier is a student affairs professional and current doctoral student in the hgher education Ph.D. program at the University or North Texas. His primary research interests are education policy and its impact on marginalized students, community college research, and student affairs practitioners’ professional development. As a leadership educator, he has utilized the StrengthsQuest assessment as a tool for first-year student success, as well as within the context of leadership programs with diverse populations of students.

If I Knew Then What I Know NowMay 15, 2 p.m. Eastern

Join these professionals as they share the lessons they have learned transitioning from students to professionals in the field. Bring your questions! This is your opportunity to find out what to expect as you move forward in your career.

About the Presenters

Kristin Kreher joined the IUPUI professional staff as the coordinator for student programs and promotions in June 2017. Within her role, she advises the Student Activities Programming Board, plans signature events, and supervises the Gallery and Promotions Team, which is responsible for the operations of the Cultural Arts Gallery and for the marketing of various initiatives within the Campus Center and Student Experiences Unit. Prior to coming to IUPUI, Kreher was a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Center Programs at Ball State University, where she advised the University Programming Board and supported Late Nite, a weekly alcohol-alternative program.

Sarah Elizabeth Barrett is the scheduling coordinator at the University of California–Berkeley. Before graduating in 2016, she was also a student employee for the ASUC Student Union as well as a student leader in Berkeley's student government. In her day-to-day work, Barrett oversees the Event Services Front Desk, approves permits for student groups, provides training on event planning to student groups and the student government, and leads the Event Review Team that processes all event registrations for major events across campus. She is also the office DJ.

Chelsea Harris is a program advisor in the Programs and Recreation Department at Purdue University. She oversees and advises the Purdue Student Union Board. This board coordinates volunteer students who plan more than 150 programs throughout the year. She advises four committee areas, including publicity, after dark, arts and culture, and current events. She oversees the Speaker Series, which includes speakers who engage with students on current topics that are affecting the world and college community, as well as many other aspects of programming on campus.